IzuSenChi
The training was not over as quickly as the members of Team Eleven wished for it to be. By the end of it, all three of them, even Sen, leaned against three tree stumps of the training ground, looking and feeling as exhausted as ever. Every bone in their body ached terribly, their skins felt burned and bruises in shades of all colors began to blossom on it. Through their system ran an endless stream of fatigue, keeping all three on them practically glued to the ground.
Izumi could barely catch her breath, her chest heaving up and down harshly as she gasped for air. Her entire body felt as though it were on fire, her limbs barely moveable. The only good thing coming from those sensations was that she was barely able to feel her knee pains because of it. It was as though they were drowning in the sea of what she was already feeling, their impact becoming minuscule. Her only coherent thought was to start a conversation with her teammates to not have to listen to her own and their constant panting anymore.
"Are you ever angry that we can't be the next InoShikaCho?" asked Izumi, panting. When she got no immediate reply, she glanced at her two teammates, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. The question had been lingered on her mind for quite some team, not leaving her alone.
Sen let out a scoff, to which a groan of pain followed from the sudden movement. "It's ridiculous, fuck the elders-"
The brunette frowned, quickly interrupting her friend. "We aren't supposed to speak about the elders like that, Sen."
"'Zumi, you're my friend, so I am telling you this: they don't deserve your respect, don't give it to them." Sen had turned to her friend, giving her a pointed look.
"Okay. They may not deserve my respect, but I won't curse them."
"You won't but I will, because they are the worst. Count yourself lucky if you haven't had any bad encounters with them."
Chihiro had followed the conversation intently, gathering his thoughts. "I agree with Sen." He spoke up shyly, glancing between his two teammates.
"You do?" Sen was surprised, dark eyes wide.
"Yeah," He paused for a moment, as though preparing himself for what he would say next. "Fuck them."
It made Sen chuckle loudly. "That's the spirit, chubs." She paused. "But really, fuck them. It just annoys me, the elders always have to involve themselves into everything. It's annoying. No matter how talented we are, we don't have a chance. It's stupid," Sen scowled. "I have three younger siblings, they don't have a chance either."
Chihiro nodded in agreement. "My little sister also won't have a chance."
As an only child, Izumi had the advantage to be the only ill-fated child of her parents. "That's so unfair."
"Damn right that is." Had there been a table by the three Genin, Sen would have slammed her first on it.
"So, let's just be the first IzuSenChi," offered Izumi. "instead of another InoShikaCho. We can be just as great."
"Or even better." added Sen, who began to look smug.
"Yeah, or even better."
Chihiro was startled. "Wait, does that mean more training?"
All three Genins sweatdropped at the horrendous thought.
"On a second thought," began Izumi, grimacing.
"I'm good right where I am." finished Sen, leaning back against the tree stump further to emphasize her point.
"Now now you three, no slacking off, y'know!." In spite of all the training, their red-haired sensei was still able to wear an infectious smile.
"Kushina-sensei." said both Chihiro and Izumi in surprise.
"You three can't be tired yet, right?"
Their silence was answer enough for their sensei.
"Come on! You can do this." The three let out a groan each in response. "You know what, how about we train for just a little longer, and then we'll get some ramen. You deserve it."
They perked up at her suggestion, all but Sen sitting up straighter against the tree stump.
"Really?" Izumi had a delighted expression making its way onto her features.
Kushina grinned at her. "I promise!"
Chihiro cleared his throat shyly. "How much is a little longer?"
Their sensei chuckled. "Ah, well. An hour maybe?"
The three Genin looked horrified at the notion. Their eyes widened simultaneously, and their hearts dropped all the way to their stomachs. Another hour was not something any of them were able to survive.
Kushina grimaced at their reaction. "Thirty minutes?"
Izumi pumped a fist into the air in excitement, lowering it quickly as pain shot through it. Regardless, she smiled. "Uh huh. We can do this!"
Her teammates did not appear to share her sentiments but still began to shuffle in their spot, ready to resume training.
"You three really have to believe in yourselves more, y'know?"
The three Genin all took on the same confused expression.
"What do you mean, sensei?"
Kushina let out a sigh uncharacteristic of her. "I heard you talking just now." She sounded almost disappointed in them.
Her students gaped at her. "Oh."
"Even if it means more training, you three can become some of the greatest Shinobi of your clans. If you work hard, you can do it, y'know?" explained Kushina gently. "Forget the elders and decide your own fate."
"Sensei, what if we can't do it?" Chihiro asked what they were all thinking, but only he could bring the words past his lips.
"You can. You three are talented, trust me," Kushina gave them all pointed looks. "Chihiro, you excel in protecting your teammates. Your techniques show that. When there is a disagreement, you find a solution. Sen, your strength lies in immobilization. When it comes down to it, you give your teammates a chance to protect themselves or to act against opponents. Izumi, your strength lies in information gathering and support. You offer communication between your teammates and are vital in making sure all of you can work together efficiently. You three need each other to fulfill your respective tasks. If one of you doesn't believe in themselves, the others will also fail."
Kushina was right. Their respective clan's jutsus worked best if used in the constellation of a team. Were one of them to fail or hesitate, the others would be dragged down with them. They were a team, they needed to support each other. That included lifting the others' spirits.
"You can do it. You have so much potential, you just need to use it," Her look softened further, she almost looked motherly to them now. "Look at yourselves. When I asked you questions, you reacted together, all simultaneously. Teamwork is not something you lack. Chihiro, you are very self-conscious and timid. You excel in connecting people. Sen, you are lazy, but you are also very intelligent. Izumi, you throw yourself into a situation without calculation, but also manage to motivate your teammates. You have your strengths and weaknesses. I'm not saying you should change, you should work together based on those. No team is perfect, but you can be great, y'know? Stop trying to be the generations before you and instead be your goal."
Chihiro was close to tears, the back of his palm coming to wipe at his eyes. Izumi meanwhile wore an expression between happiness and sadness. Sen on the other hand stared at their sensei inquisitively, as though trying to decipher the woman.
After a moment, they all spoke up. Thank you, sensei."
"You are so precious!" The woman squealed and reached out to engulf her Genins in a tight embrace, making them squirm against her grip. In response, she only hugged them tighter. Their cheeks were mushed together as were their bodies but slowly, they relaxed in the position and allowed themselves to be hugged.
They were IzuSenChi and if they wanted, they could do anything.